The Zombert Chronicles, a planned middle-grade mystery series from Kara LaReau (The Infamous Ratsos and the Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters series) and illustrator/cartoonist Ryan Andrews (Mightier than the Sword), kicks off with a daring escape, evil villains and... a zombie cat? Mystery, adventure and humor abound in Rise of Zombert.
Bert is not much more than skin and bones when fourth-grade pals Mellie and Danny discover him in a recycling bin outside the YummCo Foods factory. He is undoubtedly the ugliest cat Mellie has ever seen, "missing a lot of the fur on his stomach and legs, and the fur that remained was matted and dull. He had some dried blood on what was left of his ear, probably from a recent catfight. And he smelled almost as bad as the dumpster." Despite his appearance, Mellie is certain he needs her, so she takes him home, gives him a bath and spends all the money she's saved for a microscope on fancy cat food instead. But Bert isn't interested in food from the pet store. It's Bert's propensity for beheading his prey--and eating their brains while leaving the bodies behind--that prompts horror buff Danny to wonder if Bert is actually a zombie cat.
LaReau's quickly moving story is told from alternating points of view, with Mellie's voice in a dominant role. Happily, LaReau also includes Bert's wonderfully wild perspective: "The girl had buried the frog he'd left her without even tasting it! What a waste. He tried not to feel too offended." And there are even a few chapters from the vantage point of two YummCo Foods employees, which work to heighten the mystery as they give the audience just enough information to spark curiosity and suspicion.
Accompanying the fast-paced plot are Andrews's black-and-white illustrations. Sometimes spot art, sometimes full-page spreads, the illustrations contribute to the book's spooky tone, showing all the hair-raising details sure to entice middle-grade readers: Bert's feeble condition, the shady employees from YummCo, even a dramatic bicycle escape. The harmonious blend of illustrations and text are perfect for readers transitioning to chapter books; it may also appeal to young fans of graphic novels.
Mystery fans, animal lovers and most anyone who's ever felt they didn't fit in will enjoy the exploits of Mellie, Danny and Bert in this captivating caper. LaReau sets the stage for the series with an impressive opening book, giving readers much to anticipate in where she'll take her delightful trio next. --Jen Forbus, freelancer
Shelf Talker: Two fourth-graders rescue a bedraggled feline they find in a recycling bin--and may have let a zombie cat into their lives.